Combined arm-leg endurance training vs. leg endurance training in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A randomized controlled study.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of combining arm and leg training on arm exercise capacity, upper extremity functionality and safety in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined arm-leg endurance training (ET) with leg endurance training (ET) alone on arm exercise capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and safety issues in patients with ICDs.

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, 24 caucasian patients with an ICD (NYHA class II-III, mean age: 59.

Debulking of Giant Right Ventricular Lead Vegetation by Percutaneous Approach Under the Direct Real-Time Intracardiac Echocardiography Visualization.

Infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices is one of the most dangerous complications, and the main treatment approach is the removal of cardiac implantable electronic device from the body. We present a case of successful lead removal of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator infection at which right ventricular lead had giant vegetation material. We performed percutaneous debulking of giant right ventricular lead vegetation by percutaneous approach under the realtime intracardiac echocardiography visualization because of the high risk of pulmonary artery embolization of giant infectious material and poor lung and general condition of the patient.

Trans-right atrial access to the left ventricle for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valves.

The presence of mechanical heart valves in both aortic and mitral positions is a significant limitation for traditional left ventricular (LV) access, including retrograde transaortic and/or antegrade interatrial transseptal routes. We present a case of successful catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia via a traditional transfemoral venous approach, which involves direct puncture of the inferior and medial aspect of the right atrium adjacent to the posteroseptal process of LV (PSPLV). Percutaneous trans-right atrial access to the left ventricle appears to be a safe and feasible method for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valves.

The effect of vitamin D level on cardiac rehabilitation in patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease and poor physical performance.

Objective: To assign the effect of 25OHD level on cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: One-hundred-thirty-five patients with CAD who underwent a CR programme were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: Real-world experience from Turkey (ARNi-TR).

Objective: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) has emerged as a promising treatment for HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Here, we shared our experience with the use of ARNi in HFrEF from multiple centers in Turkey.

Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) combined with strengthening and stretching exercises in patients with fibromyalgia.

Design: Interventional, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation center.

Echocardiographic predictors of interatrial block in patients with severe chronic kidney disease.

Background: Interatrial block (IAB), defined as a conduction delay between the right and left atrium, is manifested on the electrocardiogram as a prolonged P-wave duration. Large number of studies recently have been published regarding the prevalence of IAB and its associations with the risk of atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Echocardiographic measurement of epicardial adipose tissue thickness in patients with microvascular angina.

Introduction: Impaired coronary microcirculation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction were reported etiological factors for microvascular angina (MVA). Recently, increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness has been associated with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease in general population. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the EAT thickness in patients with MVA.

Comparison of aortic pressures and aortic elastic properties between patients with end-stage renal disease and healthy controls.

Background: Current evidence indicates that vascular calcification plays an essential role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Arterial stiffness is a marker of increased cardiovascular risk in various populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the elastic properties of ascending aorta in patients with ESRD.

Pulmonary Function, Aerobic Capacity and Related Variables in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the cardiopulmonary functions and exercise performance of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and disease activity, spine mobility and quality of life (QoL).

Patients And Methods: Forty-five patients with AS (group 1; 33 males, 12 females; mean age 43.1±12.

The relationship between R wave peak time and left ventricular mass index in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

Purpose: Cardiovascular complications have been reported to be the main cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although left ventricular hypertrophy is the most common clinical presentation of cardiac remodeling, cardiovascular complications may also include disturbances of the heart conduction system. The R wave peak time (RWPT) has been previously associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial ischemia.

Missed unroofed coronary sinus.

Coronary sinus atrial septal defect (ASD) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, which might be difficult to diagnose. In this report, we describe a patient with small secundum ASDs and an associated large coronary sinus ASD, which had been missed at initial evaluation. The diagnosis of coronary sinus ASD was established by using transesophageal echocardiography after percutaneous closure of a small secundum ASD at another center.

Acute myocardial infarction and concomitant ischemic stroke as an unusual presentation of native mitral valve endocarditis.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to septic coronary embolism is a rare complication of infective endocarditis (IE) and is associated with high mortality rates. When common signs of IE are often overlooked on admission, the diagnosis may be established through complications, which may cause prominent symptoms. Here, we report a case of native mitral valve endocarditis with an unusual presentation with STEMI and concomitant ischemic stroke, which was due to multiple coronary and cerebral septic embolisms.

Investigation of ICAM-1 levels in hypertensive patients with fragmented QRS complexes.

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) detected on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been demonstrated to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a protein which plays an important role in fibro-inflammatory processes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between ICAM-1 levels and the presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients.

Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness in hypertensive patients.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a cardiometabolic risk factor, and its possible relationship with hypertension has been reported previously. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) detected on electrocardiography (ECG) has been demonstrated to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the thickness of EAT, and presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients.

Relation of serum spondin-2 levels with cardiac morphology and inflammatory parameters in hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease. Spondin-2 (SP-2), an intrinsic cardio-protective factor, prevents maladaptive remodeling. We aimed to determine the relation between serum SP-2 levels and cardiac morphology along with inflammatory parameters in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

A rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention: Coronary pseudoaneurysm formation.

Coronary pseudoaneurysms (CPAs) are rare complications developed after percutaneous coronary interventions. They may cause stent thrombosis, distal embolization, and coronary rupture leading to cardiac tamponade. Therefore, high-risk CPA should be promptly treated after diagnosis.

Investigation of mindin levels in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and QRS fragmentation on electrocardiography.

Purpose: Mindin was associated with diabetic nephropathy, podocyte injury, colitis, allergic asthma, liver ischaemia and reperpusion injury and ischaemic brain injury. On the other hand, it was reported as a protective factor against obesity, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and remodelling. Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) are markers of altered ventricular depolarisation owing to a prior myocardial scar and fibrosis.

Relation of Serum ADMA, Apelin-13 and LOX-1 Levels with Inflammatory and Echocardiographic Parameters in Hemodialysis Patients.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Nitric oxide has a critical role in both endothelial dysfunction and the atherosclerosis process. We aimed to investigate the relationships between serum asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), LOX-1, and Apelin-13 levels, which are known to act over nitric oxide with endothelial dysfunction and cardiac morphology as well as with each other in hemodialysis patients.

Evaluation of potential long-term changes in endothelial functions and basic echocardiographic parameters in unilateral nephrectomy patients.

Aim: Decreased nephron count may result in lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cardiorenal injury in the absence of compensatory hyperfunction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate long-term effects of 50% nephron loss on endothelial functions and cardiac morphology in nondonor nephrectomy patients.

Methods: This study comprised 26 patients (median age: 44 [37.

Thrombus formation in the interrupted segment of the aorta.

Interrupted aorta is a very rare heart defect in which there is a gap between the ascending and the descending thoracic aorta. It is usually associated with other cardiac anomalies, including ventricular septal defect, ductus arteriosus, and truncus arteriosus. Severe cases present with serious complications such as hypertension, heart failure, or intracranial hemorrhage.

Assessment of long-term cardiovascular effects of unilateral nephrectomy.

Purpose: There is conflicting evidence regarding long-term effects of unilateral nephrectomy such as cardiovascular diseases. Excessive increase in blood pressure (BP) during exercise called "hypertensive response to exercise" may be a sign of unborn hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. Decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with unilateral nephrectomy may be associated with disturbance of circadian BP changes without affecting the absolute levels of BP.

Evaluation of left atrial mechanical function and atrial conduction abnormalities in patients with isolated bicuspid aortic valve.

Objective: Present study is an evaluation of left atrial (LA) mechanical and conduction function in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) without significant valve dysfunction, and an investigation of relationship between LA function and aortic elasticity.

Methods: Study population consisted of 34 isolated BAV patients (mean age: 34±13 years) and 29 healthy, age- and sex-matched volunteers (mean age: 30±10 years). LA volume was measured using biplane area-length method and LA active and passive emptying volume and fraction was calculated.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular functions in nondiabetic normotensive hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Heart is affected structurally and functionally in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the data available about adverse effects of ESRD on right ventricle (RV) is scarce. We aimed to evaluate echocardiographic parameters of RV in nondiabetic, normotensive patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis (HD).